Why does the button that lights the water heater no longer work?

1. Open the up the door or the cover over where the pilot light is accessed and also located at . The pilot light will be located under the gas valve and some water heaters just have an open gap instead where you can see the pilot lights burner is.
2. Using either a flashlight or a headlamp to find out where the burner i located inside. 2 small gas tubes will lead to it. You will want to watch it as you are working.
3. Turn the gas knob to "Pilot,"and then press and hold it down. This will begin to start the flow of gas so you can light the flame. Some water heaters do have a separate button for pilot mode, mostly it will be a colored red one which you will have to press and hold.
4. While still holding the gas down light that pilot. Some water heaters do have a red or black igniting button and some others will have to be lit manually with a lighter than is longer.
5. When the flames do ignite continue to hold the gas knob or button down for a full one minute. Then slowly release it and make sure that the light is still lit and is still on.
6. Turn the gas knob to On and then listen for the distinct "whump" or whooshing sound of the main burner igniting.
7. Replace the cover.

Many times the pilot needs to be pressed for a longer time until the thermocouple reaches proper temperature. Please review these steps to light your water heater:

www.camco.net/assets/catalog/hwcatalog.pdf

Repair guide. above website

If it's not electronic. Turn the dial to pilot and push in the pilot button and hold it, then put a flame to the end of the tube under the water heater, continue to hold until the thermocoupler warms up and release. If it goes out do it again only hold the button down longer. The turn the dial back to on..

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent

Gene
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Gene

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If it was working and recently stopped working, the heating element that heats the water probably went bad, no longer functioning. Check to make sure that there is or is not a reset button, and if there is, press and reset the heater. It's not difficult to remove the old heater element and replace it, but make sure the circuit breaker power to the water heater is off when you remove it. Take it to a water heating supply store, or large hardware store with the Brand and model number of your water heater (Reliance RELIANCE ELECTRIC WATER HEATER,model 606 ) to buy another one.

You have 6-year 50 gallon gas water heater:
42V50 would be the newer model number. They make tall and short models.
http://www.rheem.com/product.aspx?id=CC643E03-4C15-4775-B139-E504A95651F7

All brands of water heater are good.
So any 50 gallon gas water heater from local box store or hardware is good product.
Tanks with longer warranty last longer. So 9-year and 12-year water heater will last longer, unless you have very hard water or odor in water and need to change frequently.
I recommend avoiding water heaters with electronic controls since they are not protected from power surge and can cost more to repair.

Additional resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

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You have to hold the red button down longer to keep the gas coming it's a safety thing.

If the new thermocouple was installed properly, with its tip in or across the pilot flame so as to be heated by the flame, then the control valve may be faulty.

Note: The pilot primer button may need to be held down for a longer period of time.

Aduz